As of: January 21, 2024, 6:00 a.m
By: Boris Forstner
Comments
Press
Split
Lieutenant Colonel Martin Holle during his speech.
© Hans-Helmut Herold
The Airborne/Air Transport School hosted a New Year's reception in Altenstadt's Franz Josef Strauß barracks.
Commander Martin Holle was able to announce an increase.
Altenstadt - Of course, at the beginning of his speech, Lieutenant Colonel Holle addressed the current global political situation: war in Ukraine, now the Gaza war - "Peace and security, especially in Central Europe, are no longer a matter of course that can be taken for granted" , he said to the military and civilian visitors, which also included a number of mayors.
In the USA it is said that freedom does not come for free - "a lesson that we as a society first have to open up again and learn together, it seems to me," said Holle.
There are also new domestic political challenges that endanger the common good, which citizens have to face - whether with or without a uniform, he said, without being more specific or naming the AfD and other extreme groups.
“The division in society is palpable.
There seems to be a new desire for subversive fantasies that threatens our free-democratic basic order.”
It is not expected that 2024 will be easier or less conflictual.
“But that should be an incentive for us to do what is necessary and right and to stand up for it – whether with an oath or without.”
Sports support groups and the Upper Bavaria Homeland Security Company are to come to Altenstadt
When looking back on the past year, which according to Holle was “extraordinarily successful”, Holle mentioned, among other things, the 89 championship medals from the sports support group, the increase of 18 positions in training and the planned increase.
On the one hand, sports support groups from all over Germany will temporarily meet in Altenstadt in the future: “A total of 80 additional sports soldiers will temporarily have their home in Altenstadt,” said Holle.
At the same time, the Upper Bavaria Homeland Security Company, which is currently stationed in Murnau, should “find a new military home with us” (see box).
New company
Lieutenant Colonel Martin Holle admits that he would have liked more to make better use of the buildings at the location - but at least the homeland security company will soon be relocated from Murnau to Altenstadt.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Carsten Spiering from the Bavarian State Command, this is a reservist unit that will be stationed in Altenstadt in the future and where the 100 soldiers can come together regularly for exercises.
Collaboration between the Bundeswehr and society to ensure security
Brigadier General Michael Matz, commander of the Hammelburg Infantry School, also emphasized, with a view to the political situation and especially the upcoming US election with a possible Trump comeback, “that the time is over when we Germans could sit back and buy our freedom”.
For far too long, people have lost sight of the tasks of national and alliance defense and must regain their fitness for war.
“When I'm back here in a year, I hope that the world has become a little more peaceful,” concluded Matz.
My news
Dispute over aircraft: Higher costs and hardly any parachute jumps in Franz Josef Strauss barracks
Well-known cheese manufacturer relies on artificial milk from Israel - farmers are shocked to read
Peitinger's traditional Gasthaus Buchberger closes, host couple Hanni and Rainer Schäffler say "Hello".
“Natural space becomes living space”: First stilt tree house near Bernbeuren
New asylum accommodation in the middle of Peiting – the next solution may be “occupancy of sports halls”.
Cabaret and music stage for Schongau: Couple is planning “Reaktor” in the Lese industrial area
Altenstadt Mayor Andreas Kögl also emphasized in his state speech that security can only be guaranteed with close cooperation between the Bundeswehr and society and spoke clearly in favor of a voluntary compulsory year for everyone - “that would be very good for society and for each individual”.
To the lively music of a quartet from the Ulm Army Music Corps, pictures of the past year were shown. The visitors moved on to the relaxed part and chatted animatedly after a long time.